The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into Monday night’s showdown against the Miami Dolphins without two key defensive anchors - and the timing couldn’t be worse.
Already reeling from the loss of All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt, who’s sidelined after suffering a collapsed lung that required emergency surgery, the Steelers’ defense now takes another hit. Starting outside cornerback James Pierre has officially been ruled out with a calf injury, leaving Pittsburgh without its top cover man just as the playoff race in the AFC North tightens.
Pierre has been a standout in the Steelers' secondary this season - not just solid, but arguably their best cornerback in 2025. Through 13 games, he’s posted 28 tackles, including a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.
But where he’s really made his mark is in coverage. Pierre has broken up nine passes, tying him for fourth among all cornerbacks in the league, per Pro Football Focus.
He also leads the team with an elite 89.8 coverage grade and has held opposing receivers to a stingy 42.4% reception rate. That’s lockdown-level production, and his absence will be felt.
So, who’s stepping in to fill those shoes? Enter Asante Samuel Jr., who’s set to make his first start as a Steeler - and it’s a big one.
Samuel’s journey back to the field has been anything but routine. After appearing in just four games in 2024, he underwent spinal neck fusion surgery in the offseason, a serious procedure that put his football future in question. But after signing with Pittsburgh’s practice squad in November, he’s worked his way back into game shape and has already seen limited action in two games this season.
In 29 defensive snaps, Samuel has logged three tackles and allowed just one catch - for a single yard. It’s a small sample size, but it’s also a promising one. Monday night will mark his third and final practice squad elevation, and it couldn’t come at a more critical moment.
With Watt out and Pierre sidelined, the Steelers are leaning heavily on their depth and resilience. Facing a high-powered Dolphins offense that thrives on speed and space, Pittsburgh’s defense will need to dig deep. Asante Samuel Jr. is being thrust into the spotlight - and if he can hold his own, it could be a turning point both for the Steelers and for his own comeback story.